Buffing wheel



June 1965 G. R. CHURCHILL 3,191, 08

BUFFING WHEEL Filed April 19, 1962 s Sheets-Sheet 1 24 FIGS INVENTOR.

GeorgeQ. Churchill BY I.

A T TOR/VEY J1me 1965 e. R. CHURCHILL BUFFING WHEEL 3 Sheets-Sheet 2Filed April 19, 1962 PIC-5.5

1N VEN TOR. George Church/YI- PMM A T TOQNE Y June 29, 1965 s. R.CHURCHILL 3,191,208

BUFFING' WHEEL Filed April 19, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEY UnitedStates Patent 3,191,208 BUFFENG WHEEL George R. @hurchill, CohassetMass, assignor to George R. Churchill Company, Inc, Hingham, Mass, acorporation of Massachusetts Filed Apr. 19, 1962, Ser. No. 188,790 10Qlaims. (Ci. 15230.17)

This invention relates to a bufling wheel.

The invention has for a principal object the provision of a novelbuffing wheel structure embodying a novel and improved retaining memberwhereby the buffing wheel may be rapidly and economically manufactured.

A further object of the invention is to provide a bufiing wheel which ischaracterized by a plurality of preformed rings of bufling elements orturns of a length of buffing material which are assembled by means ofnovel retaining means into individual relatively wide faced buflingwheel sections.

A still further object of the invention is to provide novel and improvedretaining means particularly adapted for use in the manufacture ofrelatively wide-faced buiiing wheels whereby the buffs may be rapidlyassembled and labor and material costs substantially reduced.

With these general objects in view and such others as may hereinafterappear, the invention consists in the novel and improved bufiing wheeland in the novel retaining means hereinafter described and particularlydefined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention:

'FIG. 1 is a plan view of the retaining disk employed in the manufactureof the present bufiing wheel;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of the retaining disk of FIG. 1 with theprongs turned at right angles to the base of the disk;

-FIG. 3 is a cross section taken on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one form of the present buffing wheel;

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another form of the present bufiingwheel;

FIG. 7 is a cross section taken on line 7'7 of FIG. 6;

'FIG. 8 is a perspective view of still another form of the presentbuffing wheel; and

FIG. 9 is a cross section taken on line 99 of FIG. 8.

In general the present invention contemplates a novel and improvedbuffing wheel embodying a novel and imtively long, metal teeth arrangedaround the periphery of the disk. The teeth extend substantially atright angles to the face of the disk and are provided with an innervconcavesurface and an outer convex surface providing a reinforcing rib.The disk is adapted to be positioned against one side of an assembly ofannular closed rings of bufiing material, the prongs being pressed intoand through the buffing material adjacent its inner periphery andclinched over on the opposite side thereof.

In one form of the invention the butfing wheel comprises a plurality ofturns of a length of buffing material retained in side-by-side compactedrelation by means of the prongs extended through the material with thepointed ends thereof clinched over on the opposite side of the assembly.

In another form of the invention the prongs are extended through aplurality of rings of connected, radially extended, individual bufiingelements and clinched over weaving wires connecting the elementstogether, thus providing an individual multisection bufiing wheel.

Referring now to the drawings and to FIG. 1 in particular, It)represents a circular metal disk having a central arbor hole 12 definedby an annular upstanding rim 14. A plurality of spaced, relatively longprongs 16 are arranged around the outer periphery of the disk, and aplurality of relatively short projections 18 are disposed between eachof the prongs 16. As shown in FIG. 2, the marginal edge of the disk isbent along a line spaced inwardly a short distance from the base of theprongs 116, 18 such that the prongs are positioned substantially atright angles to the flat surface 17 of the disk, and an upstandingannular rim 20 is provided between the base of the prongs 16, 1-8 andflat surface '17 of the disk. The annular rim 2% increases the strengthof the prongs since the prongs themselves are not weakened during thebending operation. In addition, the rim 20 increases the holding powerof the disk '10 since the rim is embedded into the buffing material, thematerial being retained under the rim by the prongs 1f clinched over onthe opposite side of the buffing wheel as will be hereafter described.The height of rim 2% may also be varied to provide a spacing when thebufiing wheel sections are assembled on an arbor.

The particular cross sectional shape of the prongs 16 illustrated inFIG. 3 is an important feature of the present invention since it lendsstrength to the prongs. The in ner surface 22 is substantially concavein cross sectional shape and the outer surface substantially convex,thereby forming a rib 24 on the outer surface. The rib 24 provides theprongs is with additional rigidity and resistance to bending to enablethem to be driven through the bufiing material to secure the buffingwheel together and provide a support to enable the buffing wheel to bemounted on an arbor. The buffing wheel illustrated in FIG. 4 consists ofa plurality of turns of an elongated multi-ply strip of butfing material26 compacted together side by side. The disk it) is placed on onesurface thereof with the prongs 16 against the buifing material adjacentthe inner periphery thereof. The prongs 16 are then driven through thecompacted turns in any preferred manner, the ends 28 of the prongs 16being clinched over as shown.

The buffing material 25 comprises a plurality of layers of elongatedstrips of cloth or other bufling material cut on the bias to preventunraveling thereof folded medially around an elongated wire 3i). Thefolded cloth is gathered longitudinally on the wire .30 to provide apuckered face 32 as shown. In order to retain the buffing material 26 inits gathered condition on the wire 30 so that the material may be storedprior to its assembly into a bufiing wheel a suitable rapid dryingadhesive is applied on the inner surface of the top strip of buflingmaterial either prior to or during the folding and gathering operation,which upon drying holds the material in place. As shown, the folded andgathered cloth strip is helically wound on itself to provide two turns34, 136 and the pronged disk 10 positioned on one side surface, theprongs being driven by suitable means, not shown, through the layers ofeach turn and clinched over the wire 30 within the outer turn '36. Thesharp ends 23 of the prongs are turned inwardly and embedded in thecloth under the wire 30. Thus, the assembly of helically wound turns ofbuffing material is retained permanently in its helically woundcondition and provides a buffing wheel wherein the bufiing surface 3 2provided by this construction comprises a relatively wide, wavy puckeredsurface, each turn being disposed at an angle to present the bufingsurface at an angle with respect to the work being buffed. This surfaceprovides an efiicient compound holding surface and a surface whichprovides a cross cutting action across the surface of the work beingbuffed to thereby give a highly satisfactory finish to the work.

It will be understood that with the present retaining disk 'the numberof turns of bufiing material utilized in the formation of the presentbufling wheel maybe varied in accordance with the length of the diskprongs lfi to thereby increase or decrease the width of the face of thethe butfing wheel. It will also be apparent that the present bufiingwheel, in effect, reduces the time required to assemble the bufiingsetup since each wheel is preferably composed of a plurality of turns,each equal to a conventional individual buffing Wheel section.

FIG. 6 illustrates another form of buffing wheel embodying the presentinvention. The buifing wheel 40 comprises a plurality of radiallyextended individual bufling elements 42 connected together adjacenttheir inner ends by weaving wires 44. The connected buffing elements 42are formed into a closed ring and, as illustrated, each elementcomprises a plurality of twisted strands of fibrous material 46, andeach of the component strands is preferably of a laid constructionsimilar to that used in the production of heavy sisal twine or rope. Thebundles of twisted fibrous strands are enclosed in'a cloth wrapper 48,,

and the cloth wrapped element is longitudinally stitched by adding rowsof stitching 50. Preferably, a pair of closed rings of radially extendedbutfing elements are superimposed one upon the other, and the pronged'disk I 10 is placed against one side of the assembly with the prongs 16against the bufling elements 42 adjacent its inner periphery. The prongs16 are then driven through the individual elements 42 of each ring andare clinched over the weaving wires 52 of the closed ring on theopposite side of the assembly. A row of staples 54 is inserted adjacentthe inner periphery of the assembly such that a leg of each stapleextends into adjacent elements 42. It will be understood that if it isdesired to use a light gauge metal disk 10 it is preferable to use oneor more rows of 4 turned inwardly and embedded into the buffingelements.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that the presentretaining disk enables various types of buffing wheels to bemanufactured in a rapid and efficient manner whereby any possibility ofthe assembly breaking or flying apart during use is substantiallyeliminated, the present structure of the prongs providing increasedstrength and holdingpower.

The present invention provides a bufling wheel structure which may berapidly and economically manufactured whereby production may besubstantially increased, the disk being attached to the bufling wheel inan automatic press and expensive labor and material-costs reduced to aminimum.

It will also be understood that the present invention enables bufiingwheels of varying thicknesses to be, assembled utilizing the prongeddisk either by varying the length .of the prongs or the amount of eachprong which is clinched over. j j

Haying thus described the invention, what is claimed is;

1. A bufling wheel section comprising a continuous length of bufiingmaterial folded around and secured to a length 'of wire, said length ofbufling material being helically woundand compacted together to providea closed ring composed of'a plurality of turns, and a single retainingdisk having portions extending through and clinched over the buffingmaterial forsupporting and permanently securing the assembly of turnstogether to provide a bufiing wheel section having a helical workingsurface.

2. A bufiing wheel section as defined in claim 1 wherein said singleretaining disk comprises a flat annular plate having a plurality ofspaced, pointed prongs bent at right angles to the surface of the flatplate, said prongs extending completely through the buffing material,the ends of the prongs being clinched over and embedded into the buttingmaterialon theside opposite the plate. I

3. A buffing wheel section as defined in claim 2 wherein each prong isprovided with an elongated stiffening .rib to provide sufficientrigidity to enable the prongs to be pressed through the buffing materialwithout bending.

- 4. A bufiing wheel section as defined in claim 2 wherein the ends ofthe prongs are clinched over the length of wire present buffing wheelhas been described as comprising a plurality of closed rings of radiallyextended connected bufling elements, it will be understood that thebufiing wheel may be constructed from a length of connected individualbufling elements helically wound upon itself to provide, preferably, twoturns of material, the retaining disk 10 being assembled to connect theturns of the'length of helically wound bufling elements securelytogether in the same manner as described in connection with a two ormore ringed structure.

A still further modified form of the trated in FIGS. 8 and 9 wherein aplurality of radially extended individual bufling elements 58 connectedtogether at their inner ends by weaving wires 60 are formed into.

inventionis illusa closed ring, and wherein a plurality of such ringsare of turns, the assembly being permanently secured together I by theretaining disk 10, the prongs 16 of the retaining disk 10 being clinchedover the weaving wires 60 and and embedded'in the buffing material.

7 5. Anew article of manufacture for use in assembling the base, of theprongs and the face of; the disk affordingv rigidity such as to preventdeforming of the plate and the prongs when assembled with a buffingwheel section at right angles to said one face of the disk. 6. A newarticle of manufacture as defined in claim 5 whereineach prong isprovided with a longitudinal rib .to add further rigidity to the prongsto withstand assembly with said section without deformation. I i

7. A new article of manufacture as defined in claim 5 wherein saidprongs comprise-a plurality of relatively long prongs adapted to beextended through the buffing wheel section, and a plurality ofrelatively short V-shaped prongs between each of said long prongsadapted to be embedded into the adjacent face of the bufiing wheelsection. n '8. A bufling'wheel section comprising a ring of wireconnected, radially extending 'bufling elements, a single supportingdisk member having a central opening therein and an annular rim aroundthe outer periphery of the disk, a plurality of elongated prongsextended from the periphery of said rim, said rim and prongs extendingat right angles to one face of the disk, said prongs being driventhrough the ring of butfing elements adjacent the inner peripherythereof, the ends of the prongs being clinched over' said Wires andembedded in the buifing material to thereby permanently secure thebufling wheel section together.

9. A bufling wheel section as defined in claim 8 wherein at least onerow of staples is provided around the disk adjacent said rim andextended through the disk and ring of bufiing elements.

10. A buffing wheel section comprising a ring of hutfing material, asingle sheet metal supporting disk having a central opening therein andprovided with a circular flange extending at right angles to the outerperiphery of the disk, a plurality of spaced elongated prongs extendingfrom said flange and having a pointed projection between adjacentprongs, said prongs being driven through the ring of buffing materialadjacent the inner periphery thereof, said pointed projections beingembedded into one face of the ring and the ends of said prongs beingclinched over and embedded into the opposite face of the ring to clampthe ring of bufiing material between said pointed projections and saidclinched prongs.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2/98 Pain 15-1819/35 Frost 15-181 4/43 Peterson 51-193 11/48 Seelenfreund 51-193 5/51Staiford 51-193 7/52 Lawler 5 1-193 12/53 Ruthven 51-193.] 6/55 Davies51-193 2/59 Churchill 51-193 4/59 Mockiewicz et al 51-193 12/60 Nelson.

FOREIGN PATENTS 12/ 57 Great Britain.

LESTER M. SWINGLE, Primary Examiner.

20 FRANK H. BRONAUGH, Examiner.

IJNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No3,191,268 June 29, 1965 George R. Churchill It is hereby certified thaterror appears in the above mnnbered patent requiring correction and thatthe said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 4, lines 53 and 54, strike out "at right angles to said one faceof the disk".

Signed and sealed this 1st day of February 1966.

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer EDWARD J. BRENNER Com ssioner ofPatents

1. A BUFFING WHEEL SECTION COMPRISING A CONTINUOUS LENGTH OF BUFFINGMATERIAL FOLDED AROUND AND SECURED TO A LENGTH OF WIRE, SAID LENGTH OFBUFFING MATERIAL BEING HELICALLY WOUND AND COMPACTED TOGETHER TO PROVIDEA CLOSED RING COMPOSED OF A PLURALUTY OF TURNS, AND A SINGLE RETAININGDISK HAVING PORTIONS EXTENDING THROUGH AND CLINCHED OVER THE BUFFINGMATERIAL FOR SUPPORTING AND PERMANENTLY SECURINGH THE ASSEMBLY OF TURNSTOGETHER TO PROVIDE A BUFFING WHEEL SUCTION HAVING A HELICAL WORKINGSURFACE.